The old order had to be reasserted. Al Ain could no longer stand for Al Wahda's impertinence in leading the Arabian Gulf League, thumping the visitors 4-0 to end their undefeated record.
A stand was taken, with Wednesday’s showdown providing the perfect opportunity for Al Ain to squash a rebellion.
Zlatko Dalic's men duly stepped up. Wahda’s unbeaten run stretching 20 matches ripped to shreds within the same number of minutes.
The Boss truly lived up to their nickname at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium. Three of the four unanswered goals came in a relentless first half.
Ibrahim Diaky appeared to benefit from a hand ball for the opener, though there could be no doubt about Fares Juma's header and the excellent Miroslav Stoch's pair of composed finishes.
The damage from this loss could yet grow. Wahda's talismanic defender Hamdan Al Kamali was stretchered off in clear pain following an awkward landing from a header.
The Clarets were no match for a patched-up side minus star duo Asamoah Gyan and Omar Abdulrahman, plus UAE international defenders Ismail Ahmed and Mohamed Ahmed. Key forward Jires Kembo-Ekoko was only fit enough for a spot on the substitute's bench.
Truly ominous for the competition. With at least two games in hand and momentum with them, expect Al Ain to fly from here.
Al Shabab and Al Nasr keep on winning, Al Jazira not quite able to match this consistency. Over the length of a season, however, the Boss' strength in depth should count.
For opponents Wahda, a test of character awaits after their first taste of top-flight defeat since January 23, a 2-1 reversal at Emirates Club.
Coach Jose Peseiro was then two months into a rescue job. Since, his club have earned the right to ambitions way beyond their limited budget.
The animated Portuguese was a picture of frustration, arms folded and face creased. On reflection, immense pride will be taken in what his troops have done to get to this stage.
Wahda's cause was severely hampered by main man Sebastian Tagliabue's return to Argentina on compassionate leave. Without their six-goal striker, they looked rudderless.
A deserved Al Ain opener came on 13 minutes, stand-in forward Diaky controlling a lofted Helal Saeed ball via the join between arm and shoulder. A low finish followed, centre-back Hussain Fadel screaming for an infringement to no avail.
Wahda had little opportunity to stew. Mohamed Abdulrahman's free-kick was knocked short to the on-rushing Mohamed Fayez, his centre met perfectly by leaping second-choice centre-back Juma.
Two astute summer signings combined for the third. Centre midfielder Lee Myung-joo's perfect slide-rule pass was matched by Stoch's inside run, the Slovakia winger firing emphatically into the roof of the net.
Adel Hermach and Ismail Matar shot from distance as Wahda stirred, briefly, after the break.
Al Ain waited to twist the knife on the counter-attack, Stoch duly charging through the gaping chasm in central defence to apply a low finish from Ahmed Barman's through-ball to complete the rout.
